E333 - Tammy Ealom (Dressy Bessy, The Tammy Shine) - Top 5 College Radio Favorites
Only Three Lads - Classic Alternative Music PodcastShow Notes
In the 1980s, college radio served as a vital alternative to increasingly corporate and playlist-driven commercial radio. These stations became incubators for emerging alternative genres, provided early exposure for artists who would later become influential acts, and championed independent labels, local scenes, and adventurous programming.
In a tenth anniversary book issued in 1989, CMJ, the trade journal for college radio, published a list of the Top 250 most played songs from the publication's first decade (1979 - 1988). These week, we are picking our Top 5 lists from the CMJ chart.
The full list is here: https://pulsemusic.proboards.com/thread/171053/cmjs-top-singles-1979-1989?
Joining us is an indie rock icon who is no stranger to college radio airplay. Tammy Ealom is the force of nature behind one of the coolest indie bands ever to roam the earth and part of the Elephant 6 collective, Denver's Dressy Bessy. After a few singles and EPs, Dressy Bessy released their classic 1999 debut, Pink Hearts Yellow Moons, which many listeners discovered through prominent placement in Jamie Babbit's cult film But I'm A Cheerleader (starring Natasha Lyonne). In 2017, Tammy played a solo gig at the Athens Popfest under the name of The Tammy Shine; in February 2026, the first album by The Tammy Shine, OK Shine OK, was released by Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records. It's a showcase of Tammy's "clutterpunk" vision, balancing toughness with vulnerability, and grit with melodic charm.
Plus...the single dumbest O3L game? You be the judge, as the gang TRIES to get through the radio call letter game "KO3L".
Thanks to Mike Turner from HHBTM for the introduction, and John Hill (Tammy's husband, Dressy Bessy bandmate, and Apples In Stereo guitarist) for the coordination!
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